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Dazzling Dahlias

They can resemble peonies, water lilies, cactus flowers or orchids. With more than 50,000 variations in size, form and color and with blooms from June until frost, dahlias are a late-season gardener's best friend.

Surging in popularity

The 'Ben Huston' dahlia is one of thousands of beautiful varieties of this flower. "Dahlias are on a huge upward rise in popularity," says Scott Kunst, owner of Old House Gardens in Ann Arbor, Michigan, a mail-order nursery specializing in heirloom bulbs. "Dahlias are as easy to grow as tomatoes and, like tomatoes, are worth the effort."

A size and shape for every garden

Long-flowering perennials

'Mingus Ida' is an example of the laciniated dahlia. Natives of Mexico and Central America, dahlias were named after a Swedish botanist, Andreas Dahl, after specimens arrived in Europe from Mexico around 1789. One of the longest-flowering tender perennials, they bloom six to eight weeks after they're planted.

Big and colorful

The 'Kelvin Floodlight' is one of the larger dahlia blooms. Because there are so many variations, dahlias are placed into classifications based on 19 forms and 15 colors. Dahlia blooms can range in size from 1 to 17 inches across; the plant itself grows from 2 to 20 feet high.

Growing tips

Place dahlias in full sun. Plant tubers after the last frost-free date for your area, or start them in pots inside four to six weeks earlier. Dahlias like well-drained, rich, moist soil. Water and fertilize regularly.

For cut flowers

Add a floral preservative to hot water (about 130 degrees). Wait to arrange fresh-cut dahlias until the water cools. Change water and recut the stems every day for a display that lasts three to six days.

Hooked on dahlias

Dr. Richard "Rick" W. Peters' garden in Muskegon, Michigan, includes 'Hilltop Sapphire' and 'Camano Pet' dahlias. Dr. Peters was hooked 12 years ago by these tender perennials. A friend casually mentioned that he had 600 varieties. "I wanted every one of those things," Rick says. Now, Rick is president of his local dahlia society, has helped write a book on dahlias and enters national contests.

Learn more

'SB's Sunny' is a miniature ball dahlia. For information about this and other dahlias, search for downloadable dahlia pamphlets written by James Romer of Iowa State University Extension at extension.iastate.edu. For helpful articles, including Rick Peters' no-fuss method for storing dahlia tubers, and to order a copy of the book he helped write, visit the "guides" and "purchasing" links on the website of the American Dahlia Society at dahlia.org.

Dahlia fanciers

Dahlier grower Janet Koop Brondyke says that she can't pick a favorite among her offerings, but she sees how people react to the bouquets she sells at area farmers markets. "When they see the dinner-plate dahlias, people go nuts," she says. "Everyone asks if they're real."